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Now, what can any reasonable mind in- is capable of clearer demonstration than fer from this language, but that the au- that the doctrine of a future state of thor deems it folly and affectation in existence is taught in the Old Testa any one to pretend to interpret the ment, in Moses and in all the prophets; Scriptures otherwise than through the yet there are many who, because they bias of system? And if this principle are warped by the influence of system, be admitted, where will Mr. Belsham can see nothing of the kind in any part find the translator to whom the censure of the Old Testament writings. What he speaks of can be applied; for, as he but this prevented the Jews from dishimself says, "all believe their own sys- cerning in the law of Moses the clearest tem to be the true doctrine of the apostles," intimations of a future state? They, it and, consequently, they must believe must be allowed, were judges of the that the turn which they give to the original, and also attentive readers of translation is warranted by the original. their own Scriptures; but it is obvious Mr. Belsham may, if he think proper, that they examined those Scriptures set us down among the " unthinking per- with an intention, grounded in strong sons" who disapprove of his convenient prejudice, of finding in them matter of and favourite principle of interpretation, accusation against HIM who avowed but we cannot help telling him plainly, himself to be the source of all life: that we think it the most mischievous hence Jesus said to them, "How is it' and unjust principle on which any that ye do not understand my speech? translator can proceed, in rendering the even because ye cannot hear my words." text of any writer, whether sacred or What, but the bias of system, prevented profane; and that, as we have already them from acknowledging that Jesus said, from this source have sprung all was the promised Messiah? Since every those errors which, in the present day, word he spake, and every action he perpresent such a powerful obstruction to formed, shewed him to be the person of the progress of truth, and so largely whom Moses and all the prophets did contribute to the support of infidelity. write. And will any one attempt to Will Mr. Belsham admit, that the turn prove that no such bias as this operated which the bias of his own system has on the mind of the celebrated author induced him to give to any one passage of the Divine Legation of Moses?" in the Epistles of Paul, subjects him to In connexion with the bishop, we may just censure? We fear he would not. here notice the case of the greatest poet But perhaps he will tell us, that the ori- and, perhaps, the greatest infidel of the ginal bears him out in every instance; present day: he had his favourite sysand that he has in no case ventured to tem to support; and at the expense of go beyond the bounds which it fixes. his understanding, makes, in the preBut we would ask, is he to be consider-face to one of his latest poems, a triumed the sole judge of the original? Has he never seen the sound criticisms of Doctors Smith and Wardlaw, that were addressed to him and his brethren among the Unitarians? If he has not, we would earnestly recommend them to his serious attention; but if, as we fully believe, he has seen them, he has not dared to encounter them, although, from the delay that has taken place in the publication of his work, he has had a fair opportunity of bringing all his critical skill to bear upon them.

But this principle of interpreting the Scriptures, which Mr. B. so warmly recommends, deserves to be more fully noticed, and we trust we shall not tire the patience of the reader, if we offer a few instances of its application, by men who are exhibited to the world, not merely as scholars of eminence, but as teachers of Christianity. There is nothing that

phant reference to Dr. Warburton, as having quite settled the point that the Old Testament is entirely silent on the subject of a future life. There is yet another gentleman worthy to stand on this list, we mean Dr. Paley, who seems to be a particular favourite of Mr. Belsham, who styles him "the learned and pious." We are sorry we cannot entertain the same good opinion of this writer that Mr. B. does, for we think his metaphysics are only so much pretty trifling; and as to his divinity, while he is certainly a strenuous assertor of the Evidences of Christianity, he is one of the most dangerous corrupters of its doctrines, and has done his utmost to annihilate one of the most essentially important of them, the doctrine of regeneration. As some of our readers may not have seen the sentiments of Dr. Paley on this subjecct, we shall here

before us.

insert them as they appear in the work | corruptions of his nature that process "The learned and pious which is so appropriately called a new author further notices the strong ex- creation-that new birth without which pressions used in Scripture, to express Jesus declares it to be impossible for a the change from heathenism to Christ- man to enter into the kingdom of God. ianity; viz. regeneration, new birth, We might extend these remarks to a alive from the dead, a new creation;" very great length, and adduce in great and he goes on to remark-"No such abundance, from works of high celebrity, change can be experienced by any one examples of this method of treatingScripin a Christian country, yet we retain the ture, in which, from the bias of system, same language. And what has been there is the most obvious violence done the consequence? Some conclude, that to the plain import of the original text; the expressions only indicate the en- but our limits will not allow us that thusiasm of their authors; others un- liberty. We must, however, here furderstand the phrases as signifying no- ther observe, that it is not the abuse thing more than a gradual amendment of the expression alluded to, on which of life and conversation; which de- Dr. Paley, Mr. Belsham, and others begrades too much the proper force of the stow their unqualified censure: had language. A third sort have imagined they confined themselves to this, their certain perceptible impulses of the remarks would, in too many instances, Holy Ghost, by which in an instant have been strictly just, and might have they are regenerated and born of the done good; but it is to the doctrines Spirit. If it be said, if such expressions themselves that they object; and they of Scripture do not mean this, what do object to them on the ground that gethey mean? We answer, They mean nuine Christianity is now something NOTHING: nothing, that is, to us: no- very different from what it was at its thing to be found or sought for in the first institution. The Doctor's own present circumstances of Christianity." words on the subject are these, "CerIf Dr. Paley and Mr. Belsham, who tain maxims of interpretation have obquotes him with approbation on this tained authority without reason, and head, mean to say, that regeneration, in are received without inquiry. One of the scriptural sense of the word, is these is the expecting to find in the something that is neither to be found or present circumstances of Christianity, sought for in the present circumstances a meaning for, or something answering of Christianity, we are ready to allow to, every appellation and expression that that they utter a most fearful TRUTH; occurs in Scripture; or, in other words, for as the doctrine has become nearly applying to the personal condition of obsolete through the labours of such Christians at this day, those titles, men as themselves, it certainly forms phrases, propositions, and arguments, no part of modern Christianity. To which belong to the situation of Christinsist upon it, in a national religious ianity at its first institution." Such establishment, would be utterly vain language as this must no doubt be very and absurd; hence, the few who at grateful to the ears of those who have tempt it, are stigmatized as fools and so corrupted the simplicity of primitive enthusiasts by their more rational bre- Christianity, as to have well nigh bathren, and in certain cases it is difficult nished it from the face of the earth; to avoid severe persecution. The Uni- but what can we think of the undertarians hold the doctrine in utter con- standing of the man who comes for tempt; and the great majority of those ward as a defender of the divine origin who profess to teach the necessity of of Christianity, and, in a discourse adit, hold little more of the doctrine than dressed chiefly to the teachers of that the name. But if they mean to say holy religion, solemnly cautions them that there can be any real Christianity against the use of Scripture terms, as without regeneration, then we must tell distinctive of the difference between them plainly that they speak in direct Christians and the men of the world, contradiction to the whole scope of Di- as a phraseology that is now become vine Revelation; every part of which obscure-as indicative of presumption was given for the express purpose of and conceît-as injurious to the reputa effecting in man that radical change of tion of our religion among them that heart and life, that renovation in the are without, and extremely disgustimage of God, so awfully defaced by the ing to the sober part of its professors!

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When we began the perusal of the work before us, we certainly expected to find in it a much larger portion of original matter than we have yet been able to discover. This expectation was founded on the following circumstances. In the first place, Mr. Belsham's talents are such as qualify him for making extensive researches, and collecting materials for thinking, from sources that lie beyond the reach of ordinary minds.

Could we conceive of a more direct libel | others by their own standard, nor to on the infinite wisdom of the divine pronounce that to be an impossibility Author of Christianity? For, does not which GOD HIMSELF has expressly dethis daring language represent him as clared must take place in EVERY MAN using certain forms of speech, and who enters the kingdom of heaven. teaching his inspired servants the use of appellations which, in the course of a few years, must become obscure, extremely disgusting, and fraught with the most pernicious consequences to the interests of his own kingdom? We scarcely know where to find a parallel to this, except in the words of Archbishop Newcome, whose translation of the New Testament forms the basis of "The Improved Version," and who scruples not to assert, that our Lord's sernion on the Mount was intended principally for the use of his disciples at the time it was delivered, but has no mean ing, and therefore, is not obligatory as a rule of life for the direction and practice of modern Christians!

There are, however, too many proofs in these volumes that he has been strongly biased in his investigations, in favour of those writers whose views were better calculated to confirm than to disturb his predilection for Unitarianism; and hence it happens, that the notes, which form about one half of the whole work, consist chiefly of extracts from the writings of men who were either decidedly or partially favourable to the Unitarian scheme. Now we really cannot see what advantage truth gains by such, and so often repeated, compilations of human opinion as this: it is adding another stone with the name of Mr. Belsham inscribed on it, to the heap of learned lumber that obstructs' the path of true knowledge, but it will contribute nothing towards settling the momentous points at issue between the Unitarians and the Orthodox.

Before the assertions of such men can be admitted as having any claim on our regard, there is a previous question of great moment to be settled; viz. Is the Christianity for which they contend, the Christianity which was established | by Jesus Christ and his apostles? If they say it is, then it remains with them to shew how, and by what gradations of improvement, it has arrived at such a state of refinement, as that the doctrines of its Founder have now no meaning, and are NOTHING to us; and that the appellations which He and His apostles applied to their followers are now become obscure, and altogether in- But, the common-place apology for applicable to the Christians of the pre- presenting such a work to the public, is sent day. We know they will tell us, offered by Mr. Belsham. "It was the respecting the doctrine of regeneration, express desire of many of the Author's for instance, that" No such change can be friends who heard, and of some who experienced by any one educated in a Chris-read the exposition, that he would give tian country." Thus saith Dr. Paley, the work to the public." And he, "noand so saith Mr. Belsham after him; thing loath," soon complied. "Nor was and by so saying they plainly declare, he himself averse from the proposal, that they themselves have never expe- considering how very few expositions of rienced any such change, and we verily the Scriptures by Unitarian divines had believe them. But if they have not lately appeared; and, more especially, been born again by the incorruptible since the Epistles of Paul, as they are seed of the word of God, which liveth usually interpreted, are regarded as the' and abideth for ever; if they have not strong holds of Orthodoxy, or rather of passed from death unto life, and become that enormous combination of errors partakers of the blessings belonging to which assumes the name." From this the NEW CREATION, let them, like announcement the reader will, of course, the Corinthians," settle their own mea- expect to find the strong-holds of Orthosures among themselves, and compare them- doxy lying in ruins before him, as he selves with themselves," if they think that follows the invincible arguments of by so doing they shew their wisdom; Thomas Belsham; but alas! instead of but let them not presume to measure this, he will meet with nothing that has

not been a hundred times proposed to the world by others, and as often overthrown by the cool and sober reasoning of the most enlightened critics and expositors the world ever produced: yes, so far from finding original argument, he will meet in every page with a restatement of arguments, if arguments they can be called, the fallacy of which has been demonstrated as it were but yesterday, with all the force which sound reasoning is capable of calling into action; and we again remind Mr. B. of the task which Dr. John Pye Smith has appointed him in his "Scripture Testimony to the Messiah;" for, till the masterly arguments of this writer are fairly met and overthrown by the just principles of criticism, the long list of authorities quoted by Mr. Belsham, must appear as gratuitous assertion. When he has done this, we will hear him; and till he has done it, we must view him as inadequate to the work. In the second place, we had a right to expect something superior in this publication from the length of time it has been in hand. The author informs us that it was drawn up above thirty years ago, but that it has received some alterations which he hopes are improvements, as in the advance of his age his judgment increased, and as he met in his readings things worthy of being observed for the purpose. Thirty years is certainly a long period to have a work in hand! and while, from this lapse of time, we are enabled to account for the freedom and elegance of the style, and the propriety in general of the divisions of the work, we cannot help expressing a wish that the publication had been delayed for thirty years longer; for there is little doubt but that by that time, if the same degree of attention be paid to this controversy, that has been of late years manifested, so much light will be elicited on the subject, as will throw this and similar works completely into the shade; and we are much mistaken if this octavo edition ever extend beyond the circumference of the Unitarian circle, although, as the author informs us, his friends have at once taken the whole of a quarto edition of the work off his hands. And if such should be the case, there will be no room for regret on the part of the author, since he evidently wrote with the sole view of pleasing Unitarians; and, according to his own principles, to

have pretended to, or attempted the contrary, would have been folly and affectation; for to have been without such a bias would have been both "undesirable and unavoidable." Here then is a work consisting of four octavo volumes, the result of thirty years' reflection; modelled after the best masters of the Unitarian School; possessing all the advantages which the more mature judgment of the aged author, and the present advanced state of learning could throw into it. The professed design of this new ally to the Unitarian cause, is the complete rousing of Orthodoxy from its most secure retreats. Whatever errors there may be attached to the Orthodoxy scheme, so called, we' should heartily rejoice to see removed; but al though great effects are often produced by apparently small means, yet it is not the cheerless and ill-supported-the bold, yet inefficient scheme of the Unitarians that will be honoured to do even this. If, however, we should be mistaken, and should at any future period see Mr. Belsham's opponents either fleeing before him, or begging for quarter, we shall be among the foremost to hail him conqueror. In the mean time we think it a duty which we owe to the sacred cause of eternal truth to point out, without regard to sect or system, the leading errors into which our author has fallen; and shall call the attention of our readers to these in a future number.

The Hopes of Matrimony, a Poem; by JOHN HOLLAND, Author of Sheffield Park, &c. London, printed for Francis Westley. pp. 72. Price 3s. 6d. 8vo. bds.

Of all the social affections, none is more eventful, none more closely connected with the welfare of mankind, than that which subsists between the sexes. According to the bias which it receives, and the direction in which it flows, it is productive either of the greatest happiness or the greatest misery. Followed as a mere instinct of our nature, and indulged solely for the satisfaction of an animal appetite, man brutalizes under its influence-it becomes the fruitful source of strife and every crime that can degrade and destroy him, and no Pandora's box ever teemed with so many ills, or spread so widely the seeds of vice and mischief.

But raised and ennobled by reason, and consecrated by the influence of religion, it blends with the softest, sweetest sympathies of the heart, becomes the spring of the finest charities of human life; the relations of parent and child, brother and friend, correct the evils, lighten the toils, alleviate the sorrows of man, and smooth his rough and stormy passage to the tomb.

master spirits of the age, he may compete with any in talent; and in purity, perhaps none can claim pre-emi nence.

The Poem is divided into three parts, descriptive of the Hopes of Matrimony in the three grand climacterics of human life, youth, manhood, and age; on these the author has descanted with great pathos, interspersing his theme with Connubial happiness is the offspring animadversions on the evils that mar of Paradise, and in unison with the the beauteous scenes of domestic enfirst law of our divine Creator; his infi-joyments, and striking episodes illustra nite wisdom and goodness saw it not meet that man should be alone. The fairest pattern of conjugal bliss is to be found in the first pair, brought together by Jehovah himself, whose union was witnessed alone by his approving eye, and uncontaminated by the fall; while as yet man had not sunk to be the pander to his own lust, nor was woman degraded into the mere servile instrument of his pleasures.

tive of the most affecting sentiments. To quote freely would exceed all bounds, where we see so much to praise; we can only make room for a few short extracts, which may excite our reader's desire to peruse the work itself.

The following indignant strain is justified by the unhallowed prostitution of talent, at which it points, and affords a good specimen of the author's abilitises.

dart

"Shame on that bard, whose wanton muse can
Insidious mischief through a guileless heart;
Whose mind betrays, in each unhallow'd line,
Its poisoning purpose and its fell design.
The heart should wither, and the hand should
Rather than song to wantonness should turn,

burn!

Who sins in verse, and glories in his shame;
For his offence, who modesty offends,
How just is woman's scorn-the scorn of all his
This be my lot, should song of mine e'er prove
To female honour false, or VIRTUOUS LOVE.

Perish the strain, and fade that poet's name,

friends!

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One of the earliest and most lamentable effects of the fall, was seen in the prevalence of polygamy; a practice not more abhorrent from the divine institution, than subversive of the most refined felicity of the marriage state; and though Almighty forbearance permitted the continuance of this wretched abuse, it was only to avoid a greater evil; it was tolerated because of the hardness of men's hearts; that bestial passion and ferocious pleasure might not defile and trample upon the fairest gift of heaven. It was reserved for Christianity alone, to uphold the rights of the injured sex, to restore woman to her just rank in the scale of being, and enshrine conju-Thy old monastic fane, my favourite Roche, "Where deep-embowering vestibules approach gal affection by associating it with the Placed, like a gem, whose emerald hue prevails most endearing discoveries of the Di- On the green bosom of the queen of vales; Where devious walks, and glades of beauty seem vine regards to his guilty creatures. The prompt creations of the lover's dream; Christianity counts this undefiled con- There rise umbrageous clumps their zephyr nection honourable in all, and brands The fainting breezes as they skim the lakes, slakes with the indelible mark of antichrist To fan the nymph-like wanderer on the ridge, any who would forbid it. Or in the bower, or by the rustic bridge, Who seems, with heavenly smile, and light-robed form,

The short extract that follows, shews that Mr. H.'s powers of description are of no inferior order.

Like Mercy's angel in affliction's storm."

This happy state, with the hopes and pleasures attending it, is the subject of the Poem before us; and we cordially bear our testimony to its merits, to the The exquisite tenderness that breathes refinement of its sentiments, the purity in the following strains, and the acute of its diction, the sublimity of its de-observations that they discover, entitle scriptions, and the harmony of its verthem to a place, were our limits more sification. If we have any real taste for contracted than they are. the Pierrian spring, we do not hesitate to pronounce it no every day production. Mr. H. occupies no common rank among the favourites of the muses. With the exception of a very few of the Can still the storms, and calm the sea of life:

Who never held a place in woman's heart;
"Of life's sublimest joys he knows but part,
A stranger to her exquisite controul,
Whose smile alone can humanize the soul;
Whose halcyon presence, in its wildest strife,

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